According to the Daily Mail, he is expected to confirm his free transfer to the Stampford Bridge club and will be linking up with former team-mate Nicolas Anelka in China in a contract worth around 250,000 pounds-a-week.

His departure will be followed by fresh investment by Blues billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Owner Abramovich addressed his European Champions by declaring that 'this is just the beginning' for Chelsea, and has reportedly pumped a billion pounds into his football club. (ANI[5])